Jason Johnson “IT’S THE KNOXVILLE NATIONALS” by Don Martin
Jason Johnson known as the Ragin Cajun was exactly that this past Saturday at the famed historic half-mile Knoxville Raceway as he captured the 56th Annual Knoxville Nationals sponsored by 5-Hour Energy. It was not easy for Johnson because in order to accomplish this goal he would need to pass and defeat Donny Schatz. How good is Donny Schatz at Knoxville, well he has won 9 of the last 10 Nationals.
Donny Schatz kicked off his Nationals on his Wednesday night preliminary in typical fashion having a solid point night and finishing second on the podium behind Shane Stewart. Schatz would rack up enough points to start 5th in the Championship. I am sure Donny after all his success at Knoxville starting in the first three rows put his mind at ease knowing he was the car to beat. All the talk leading up to the Nationals was if Schatz doesn’t have any bad luck and finishes he can’t be beat. We all know we said it, and I did too. Donny is just that good and I have nothing but respect for him.
Shane Stewart won the preliminary feature but it was Daryn Pittman who came away with the highest point total which earned him the pole for the $150,000 to win feature event. Pittman drives the Kasey Kahne Great Clips entry.
Thursday preliminary feature was won by Tim Kaeding, and Jason Johnson was the high point man of evening. Jason qualified in the top five, made the feature from his fourth row starting spot, and finished second in the feature. I remember in the press room Brad Doty and Ralph Shaheen talking about if any California driver had won the Nationals and I did say I was not sure about California but I do know that no driver has ever won from the state of Louisiana. No one was even giving Johnson a chance of winning this race even after his great performance on his preliminary night. There was talk of Shane Stewart, Kerry Madsen, Terry McCarl, Daryn Pittman, David Gravel upsetting Schatz in the finale but no one was talking about Jason Johnson still. Even Sammy Swindell was getting more consideration than Jason.
Saturday afternoon Knoxville held a red carpet ceremony for the A-Main drivers as part of a fan fest. This was meant to get the fan more involved with the racers and Knoxville and Kendra Jacobs did just that. Kendra Jacobs is in her first year taking over the Marketing and Public Relations at Knoxville and is doing an incredible job, she brought in the title sponsor 5-Hour Energy and has brought the fans back and closer to the action than I can remember making them apart of the Knoxville Nationals. The drivers were each escorted and given a nice courtesy gift by the Fairboard along with recognition and respect. I hope they do this again for years to come, I know the drivers enjoyed it and the fans it had to be special to get close to them just hours before the biggest sprint car race of the year was to happen.
As excitement grew as the evening’s preliminaries were wrapping up certain drivers were elated and others disappointed trying to make the Knoxville National Main Event. 107 Drives participated in this year’s Nationals with a purse close to a million dollars. Drivers missing the big show included Mark Dobmeier, Danny Dietrich, Tim Shaffer, Brent Marks, Joey Saldana, Stevie Smith, Paul McMahan, Dave Blaney, Jason Sides, and the most disappointed had to be Brian Brown who did not even transfer out of the C-Main. The happiest driver had to be Logan Schuchart beating Lynton Jeffrey to the checkers to earn a spot in the big show. Schuchart is the grandson of the legend Bobby Allen and if you know anything about this team working on shoestring budget is an understatement. Lynton was the first driver to congratulate Logan on making the show, touch of class right there.
Just before the main event hit the track driver intros took place in the grandstand once again getting the fans more involved, and a spectacular firework show hit the track on the parade laps. Also must not forget to mention Bryan Clauson and how Knoxville and the racers recognized him the entire week. Flowers, donations, and just everyone as whole showing nothing but respect for him and his family and the special tribute video Saturday night, who didn’t cry !!!
Back to the race in the first stage of the race was fantastic in the first 25 laps. Pittman and Johnson ran side by side while Schatz closed and took the lead with a handful of laps left in the first stage. The teams at the halfway mark all re-fueled and got fresh rubber. Schatz out front to start the final 25 laps knowing his history knew it was going to be tough for the entire field to overcome. This is why we race watching Jason Johnson tackle the cushion rim riding reeling Schatz in the last ten laps of the race was nothing but breathtaking and determination by the 40 year old Johnson. He would pass Schatz and was not even bothered by the two almost touching wheels as the crowed came to their feet. It was a moment at Knoxville we will never forget, after passing Schatz he got about ten car lengths ahead. With a handful of laps left I thought it was over and here comes Schatz again running the bottom making up ground and just coming up short at the checkers with a hail marry !!! During the cool down laps Schatz was not too happy with Jason’s aggressive driving style and let him know it, Johnson on the other hand mentioned in victory lane “It’s the Knoxville Nationals” he saw an opportunity and went for it, Johnson in my opinion just wanted it more.
Johnson was last year’s Rookie of the Year on the Outlaw tour and is a 5-Time ASCS National Champion with over 250 wins under his belt. He hails from Louisiana is married to a very supportive wife Bobbi who pretty well runs the race team and they have one child named Jaxx. Johnson has several sponsors including Mesilla Valley Transportation, Fischer Body Shop, and Priority Aviation. I know a couple of his sponsors very well and want to give a special shout out to the Fischer’s. They are great people Curt the owner and son Devin are very passionate about sprint car racing. They have been involved and sponsored drivers for over 20 years , so seeing father and son on the podium in tears was just flat out awesome. The other is Priority Aviation Jennifer and Richard Marshall what can I say, they have the biggest hearts in the pit area. Both very close to the Clauson’s and carried heavy hearts all week, so to win this will help ease some of the pain. God Bless !!!
In closing this was a Nationals we will not forget for some time watching a battle for the win and to beat Schatz who most say is the second best driver of all time behind Steve Kinser. Also need to mention Kyle Larson, the guy is one of the most talented racers I have ever seen. He came from the consi and raced his way into the big show and came home with a top five. He doesn’t need to race sprint cars but he does because he loves it !!! Congrats again to Jason Johnson and to all his fans and supporters.
Finishing Order 56th Annual Knoxville Sprint Car Nationals
Jason Johnson, Donny Schatz, Shane Stewart, Daryn Pittman, Kyle Larson, Jamie Veal, Chad Kemenah, Greg Hodnett, Ian Madsen, David Gravel, Brad Sweet, Rico Abreu, Danny Lasoski, Tim Kaeding, Kraig Kinser, Logan Schuchart, Terry McCarl, Sammy Swindell, Lucas Wolfe, Dusty Zomer, Jeff Swindell, Kerry Madsen, Dale Blaney, Craig Dollansky, and James McFadden.